A Search Through Runeterra (Arcane)

"Ain't enough bullets in the world for all the killin' I'm about to do."~ Lucian, The Purifier

I don't know man. He don't seem to be doing much purifying to me.

P.S. I'll add pictures in the weekend!

Also I apologize for the weird upload schedule.... Getting back into university and studies is a lot more taxing that originally expected....

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"When I came to Noxus... I had nothing. Except Caalyx and the shield of course. But other than that? Nothing." He noticed the kids giving him their utmost attention. "And I started a new life. I made a friend and then a few years of preparation and I was sent off to war." Gregori said with a sad smile. "It was very hard. People will say that war is great and fighting is the best thing. But let me tell you this." He stated as he placed Annie back on the ground, Making eye contact with each and every child. "War is not fun. It is scary. Torturous. It should not be glorified. People die. Your friends? Your enemies? None of them will go home to their families. You spend everyday in fear. Wondering if you will be the next to die." Gregori took a deep breath. "But I was good at fighting. Even without Caalyx. My magic was nowhere near as strong as it is now. And using Caalyx would encourage thieves and worse..... nobles." Gregori answered. "

Rell grunted at the term.

"I was part of the Gray Legion. People who were sent to do missions that would guarantee death for most people. The Undead Squadron was a group where we followed the undead controlled by blood mages into battle with a specific mission to accomplish. We do that and get out. Our squadron's actions were the reason Noxus is where they are at in the invasion of the Freljord." Gregori stated.

"But that is because of General Darius and The Gray...." Sydell said.

Gregori snorted before devolving into laughter. Through his laughter, Gregori pushed out, "You.. hah... you know... heh.. The Gray?"

"Why are you laughing? The Gray is the best soldier ever!" Sydell looked furious.

Gregori stopped laughing and gave the boy an interesting look. "Why do you know about The Gray anyway?"

"Everyone knows him. He is the reason the Battle of Ruug was won. The Gray faced three warbands and got the commander alone." Sydell boasted.

He saw recognition appear in Rell's eyes, finally realizing who Sydell was talking about.

"Well.... I wouldn't say that Ruug was The Gray's doing alone." Gregori spoke sheepishly.

"How do you know?" Sydell asked. "Everyone knows this."

Gregori shrugged. "I know... because I was there."

Sydell's eye widened in surprise, "You were?!"

"Yes." Gregori grinned as he pushed his hand forward, "Gregori The Gray. Nice to meet you Sydell"

The wide eyes widened further. "You are The Gray?!"

Gregori nodded. "Got the name from Gray Wolf. All of this was way before your time either way. Why does it matter so much?"

The words just kept increasing Sydell's hero worship of Gregori.

"Did you really face three enemy generals alone in Winterspike?" Sydell asked.

"Alone?" Gregori looked confused, "Never alone. I had my squadron with me every time and Darius was with me at Winterspike. I do not understand why only my name comes up."

"Really?"

"Yeah." Gregori answered. "I could take two warbands alone but three is a little too many. I had my group of six with me for most of the invasion."

"But... you are The Gray!" Sydell repeated as if he couldn't believe it.

"Yes Sydell." Gregori answered rapidly growing encumbered with the conversation. "And you can believe it when I say that war is not enjoyable. Noxus glorifies war because they need soldiers." He frowned before asking, "Do you know why Noxus goes to war?"

Sydell shook his head.

"Anyone?"

They all shook their heads.

"Long ago, old Noxus was a land where plants could not be grown. It is why you cannot see plants near and around the bastion. When people can't grow plants... they can't get food to eat. And because of that, they attacked other places." He looked at the kids. "For food."

"That is the reason Noxus is really big. But as the years went on.... despite having enough food.... Noxus still kept attacking other places. The people sending the soldiers to war... they wanted more. More and more. They get more power and influence. And most people... once they get a taste of that power. They will chase for it. They will crave it like a thirsty man after water."

Gregori watched as some of the children understood what he was saying. Briar didn't seem to care but paid attention to him speaking.

"They want more land under them. More warriors. More of everything. There are also lots of hidden and secretive things happening in Noxus that you do not know. My knowledge of those things is the reason I could find Annie and get all of you out."

He waved his hand behind him, "All of Noxus? No one cares about you. They do not care if you live or die. But they would like it if you died for their cause. Do not ever fall for the promises of war. It is never worth it."

"But you have killed so many!" Sydell stated.

Gregori nodded. "I have. That is why I am telling you this. Anyone with less experience would tell you to go to war. Having seen the horrors of the battlefield.... I am warning you. I want you all alive and going to war makes that part infinitely difficult."

Sydell shut up and just followed them from that point on, keeping to himself and his thoughts.

"What about your mummy and daddy?" Annie asked.

"What about them?" Gregori asked her back.

"Don't you miss them?" Annie questioned.

Gregori shrugged once again, "I don't know." His shoulders slumped forward, "I don't even know if they are alive." He admitted. "But we will eventually pass through Demacia and I'll take you all to meet them. See if they are any different."

"We are going to Demacia?!" Annie exclaimed.

Gregori nodded.

"Is the sea there?" Briar cut in innocently.

Gregori shook his head, watching Briar's head drop before he answered, "After the visit we will cross the sea. So don't worry too much Briar."

"Really?" She asked, almost pleading.

Gregori nodded softly.

Briar jumped up in happiness.

"Well Rell.... Sydell..." Gregori asked the two, "Do you want to know anything else?"

Sydell shook his head with fear in his face. Afraid to further antagonize his idol.

Rell stayed silent.

"Its fine if you want to ask and questions." Gregori spoke, "I can't answer every question but I can answer most of whatever you want. Okay?"

"Feel free to ask questions. All of you." Gregori extended the invitation. "You shouldn't fear asking me any question."

They nodded in reply.

"Now, lets get going to Tokogol. We can get there by the end of the day... hopefully."

And they did.

As the sun set, they arrived at the settlement. He had noticed the distinct lack of bird calls and occasional animal grunts. The dead zone. It was still lifeless.

And just like before, it was completely deserted. 

But not taking any chances, Gregori pulled his shield up close and held the axe with his other hand.

"Stay close and stay together." He ordered the children.

"Yes sir!" Sydell called in reverence. He wouldn't fail to listen to any of The Gray's calls. In his mind he had started to place Gregori as his direct superior. The same way he had once considered his father. The Kythera family now, Kythera-Zavaan was a family that gained all its achievements in war and battle. Their family considered its wards future soldiers and they were treated as such.

With that Sydell actively gathered the kids together and they complied, thinking it a fun activity.

"Rell... if anything seems off place your metal around everyone okay?" Gregori said as he looked at her.

She nodded in reply.

At that, he led them into the settlement. A quick sweep of the area revealed nothing out of the ordinary. 

He entered a particularly normal looking house and looked around for any structural imperfections.

Other than plenty of dust, the little houses were quite sound.

"We stay here for the night." He stated as he placed his belongings on the ground. He raised his hands and waved forcefully.

As he did, the dust inside was fully pulled out. Leaving a completely empty but clean room.

"That's convenient." Daani said.

"Indeed. Though it takes a lot more control to do something like this." Gregori said. "Can you guys stay here for a little bit? Me and Caalyx need to do a little check."

"Can I talk to him daddy?" Annie asked.

Gregori nodded. "After we are done."

Reaching for the spear, he unwrapped it and grabbed onto the spear shaft.

"Are we there yet?" Caalyx drawled.

"Yes." Gregori answered. "I'll show you the location."

"Hi Caalyx!" Briar called.

"Hi Briar!" Caalyx answered.

"Can you hear him?" Gregori asked.

Briar nodded excitedly.

"Huh..." Gregori thought.

After which, he walked with Caalyx in hand to the scorch mark.

"Go closer." Caalyx commanded, his voice hardening.

Going closer Gregori observed the almost glowing purple marks on the ground and the broken through wall.

"Gregori." Came Caalyx's harsh voice.

"Yes?" Gregori replied in seriousness.

"It seems that our work thousands of years ago weren't complete." Caalyx said.

"An ancient enemy of yours?"

Caalyx sighed, "No. An enemy of all things. This..... this is worse than anything a Darkin war could hope to achieve."

"Strong?"

"No but relentless." Caalyx replied, anger creeping into his voice, "They adapt and consume and adapt and consume until nothing can stop them. Our victory against them all those years ago was beyond lucky. If our plan hadn't worked the world wouldn't have survived till this moment."

"That bad?" Gregori asked.

"That bad." Caalyx confirmed.

"Are they around here?"

"No. This mark is older. Around a year old maybe. Is there nothing in the area? No signs of life?"

"Yes."

"The creature responsible isn't in the area anymore but its effects still exist."

"So who is our enemy?" Gregori asked.

"The enemy of all things." Caalyx corrected. "We are facing The Void."